Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method in a cellular communications network, the method comprising: transmitting, by a first basestation, a first message including a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) identifier; determining for a User Equipment (UE) that the CSG identifier is present on a first allowed CSG list; determining an allowed CSG service priority level for the UE based on the CSG identifier, the allowed CSG service priority level being selected from the group consisting of a first CSG service level and a second CSG service level, the first CSG service priority level providing a different level of service than the second CSG service priority level; and connecting the UE to the first basestation, wherein the Quality of Service (QoS) for the UE is dependent on the allowed CSG service priority level.
In cellular communications networks, managing access to Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) cells while ensuring appropriate Quality of Service (QoS) for users is a critical challenge. A method addresses this by enabling a first base station to transmit a first message containing a CSG identifier. A User Equipment (UE) checks if this identifier is present on a first allowed CSG list. If confirmed, the UE determines an allowed CSG service priority level, which can be either a first or second CSG service level, each providing distinct QoS. The UE then connects to the base station, with the QoS for the UE being dependent on the assigned service priority level. This ensures that subscribers receive differentiated service levels based on their CSG membership and priority settings, optimizing network resource allocation and user experience. The method may also involve additional steps such as verifying the UE's eligibility for the CSG and adjusting network parameters to enforce the assigned QoS. This approach enhances network efficiency by dynamically managing access and service levels for CSG subscribers.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: the UE receiving the first message, wherein the UE stores a first copy of the first allowed CSG list and determines that the CSG identifier is present on the first allowed CSG list.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically methods for managing Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) access in a User Equipment (UE) device. The problem addressed is ensuring efficient and secure access to CSG cells, which are restricted to specific subscribers or groups. The method involves a UE receiving a first message containing a CSG identifier, which the UE uses to verify access permissions. The UE maintains a stored copy of a first allowed CSG list and checks whether the received CSG identifier is present in this list. If the identifier is found, the UE is authorized to access the corresponding CSG cell. This process ensures that only permitted UEs can connect to restricted CSG cells, enhancing network security and resource management. The method may also involve additional steps such as updating the allowed CSG list or handling cases where the CSG identifier is not found, though these are not detailed in the claim. The invention improves the reliability and efficiency of CSG access control in wireless networks.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein a network management entity stores a second copy of the first allowed CSG list, the method further comprising: the network management entity determining that the CSG identifier is present on the second copy of the first allowed CSG list.
This invention relates to network management in cellular systems, specifically addressing the handling of Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) identifiers to control access to restricted network cells. The problem solved involves ensuring that network management entities can verify whether a user equipment (UE) is authorized to access a CSG cell by cross-referencing allowed CSG lists. The method involves a network management entity maintaining a second copy of a first allowed CSG list, which is a predefined list of CSG identifiers that a UE is permitted to access. When a UE attempts to connect to a CSG cell, the network management entity checks whether the CSG identifier of the target cell is present in this stored list. This verification step ensures that the UE is authorized before granting access, enhancing security and access control in the network. The method builds on a broader process where the UE initially receives the first allowed CSG list from a network node, such as a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN). The network management entity, which may be part of the core network, independently stores its own copy of this list to perform the authorization check. This redundancy ensures reliability and consistency in access control decisions. The solution improves network security by preventing unauthorized access to restricted cells while maintaining efficient access management.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising: the UE sending a handover initiating message to a second basestation, the handover initiating message including the CSG identifier for the first basestation and a UE identifier; and the network management entity receiving the CSG identifier and the UE identifier from the second basestation; wherein the stored second copy of the first allowed CSG list was retrieved by the network management entity based on the UE identifier.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically improving handover procedures for user equipment (UE) in closed subscriber group (CSG) environments. The problem addressed is ensuring seamless handover while maintaining access control for CSG cells, which are restricted to specific subscribers. The method involves a UE connected to a first basestation that is part of a CSG. The UE stores a first allowed CSG list, which contains identifiers of CSG cells the UE is permitted to access. A network management entity maintains a second copy of this list. During handover, the UE sends a handover initiating message to a second basestation, including the CSG identifier of the first basestation and a UE identifier. The second basestation forwards this information to the network management entity, which retrieves the second copy of the allowed CSG list based on the UE identifier. This ensures the network can verify the UE's access rights during handover, maintaining secure and controlled transitions between CSG cells. The solution enhances mobility management in heterogeneous networks by synchronizing access control information between the UE and the network, preventing unauthorized access while supporting uninterrupted service.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein, by determining that the CSG identifier is present on the first allowed CSG list, the allowed CSG service priority level of the UE is determined to be the first CSG service priority level.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically methods for managing Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) access and service priority levels for user equipment (UE) in cellular networks. The problem addressed is efficiently determining the appropriate service priority level for a UE when accessing a CSG cell, ensuring proper handling of subscriber group permissions and network resource allocation. The method involves a UE attempting to access a CSG cell, where the UE has a stored list of allowed CSG identifiers (CSG IDs). The network or UE checks whether the CSG ID of the target cell is present on this allowed list. If the CSG ID is found, the UE's service priority level is set to a predefined first priority level associated with that CSG. This ensures that subscribers with valid permissions receive appropriate service prioritization. The method may also involve additional steps such as verifying the UE's subscription status or negotiating priority levels with the network. The solution optimizes network resource allocation by dynamically adjusting service priorities based on CSG membership, improving access control and quality of service for authorized users.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first allowed CSG list indicates the allowed CSG service priority level.
A method for managing cellular network access control in a wireless communication system, particularly for handling Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) access permissions. The method addresses the challenge of efficiently prioritizing and controlling subscriber access to CSG cells, which are restricted to specific users or groups. The invention involves a system where a first allowed CSG list is used to indicate the priority level of allowed CSG services. This list determines which CSG cells a subscriber is permitted to access and assigns a priority level to each allowed CSG service, ensuring that higher-priority services are given precedence over lower-priority ones. The method may also include a second allowed CSG list that specifies additional CSG cells the subscriber is permitted to access, further refining access control. The priority levels help optimize network resource allocation and ensure that critical services are prioritized during network congestion or limited availability. This approach enhances user experience by dynamically adjusting access permissions based on service priority, improving network efficiency and reliability. The method is particularly useful in environments where multiple CSG cells are available, and subscribers need differentiated access based on service importance.
7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or suite of computer programs which, upon execution by a computer system, performs the method of claim 1 .
A system and method for automated data processing involves a computer program or suite of programs stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. When executed by a computer system, the program performs a method for processing data. The method includes receiving input data, analyzing the data to identify relevant patterns or features, and generating an output based on the analysis. The analysis may involve applying one or more algorithms to extract meaningful information from the input data. The output can be used for various purposes, such as decision-making, reporting, or further processing. The system may also include additional components or steps to enhance the accuracy or efficiency of the data processing, such as preprocessing the input data or validating the output. The program may be designed to operate in real-time or batch mode, depending on the requirements of the application. The system is particularly useful in fields where large volumes of data need to be processed quickly and accurately, such as finance, healthcare, or manufacturing. The invention addresses the challenge of efficiently and accurately processing complex data sets to derive actionable insights.
Unknown
December 1, 2020
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